NBD: Stingray

[uk_lefty]

Fretless Sterling Ray 34... Don't see many of these available. I also think this one was professionally defretted, I can't remember the lefties being available fretless. 

 

It has only arrived today but so far my thoughts: the fingerboard feels lovely, I think it's some kind of ebony. The neck profile is a bit slimmer than my US Stingray. Flatwounds sound great on it, I thought I'd need rounds of some kind but there are decent strings on it right now. 

 

Bad points:

The machine heads feels a bit flimsy, will need to see how it settles. Also the preamp and pickup is nowhere near the league of my US Stingray. 

 

More discovery to be made after work

[LeftyJ]

If that was just defretted it would have had to have the entire fingerboard replaced, because there's no hiding the original fingerboard dots unless you shave off a few millimeters!

 

Either way, cool score. It looks great! 

[uk_lefty]

Just received a message from the previous owner that it was bought like this new. I think this will be worth the effort to upgrade the electrics.

[Hellzero]

Last year, I was looking for the righty version of yours, these SBMM fretless Stingrays don't show up very often.

 

There's already an excellent aftermarket pickup there: 

 

Should you need a preamp, I have six (yes 6) 2EQ to build with all the components including Radio knobs and the metal plate, everything you need, in fact.

[uk_lefty]

22 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

There's already an excellent aftermarket pickup ther

Already sorted with Mr Chilli!

 

22 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

Should you need a preamp, I have six (yes 6) 2EQ to build with all the components including Radio knobs and the metal plate, everything you need, in fact.

Interesting! Will send you a PM

[Grahambythesea]

Like @Hellzero I looked forward a fretless Ray34 and drew a blank. Looks brilliant, enjoy it.

[uk_lefty]

Now upgraded with the Retrovibe Stinger preamp and a Nordstrand pickup. I also had a new nut fitted because the old one was worn to bits.  I've currently got flats on this but I'm thinking to go for some tapewounds to get a bit more brightness out of the sound and still keep the fretboard intact. 

 

I've learned that this was factory made as a lined fretless. The board is really thick, feels like ebony or a cheaper version of ebony with a weird name... Either way it feels gorgeous and can draw out a lot of richness in the sound. The back of the neck feels really good too. I'm still experimenting with the preamp but I should get there soon. Too many new things going on at once and I need to properly sit down with this working on the right songs to get it where I want it. 

[Hellzero]

Remember that this preamp is boost only, even if there might be a center detent on the knobs. 😉

[ghostwheel]

8 hours ago, Hellzero said:

Remember that this preamp is boost only, even if there might be a center detent on the knobs. 😉

It actually isn't if it's built exactly after the original one. Both controls all the way down make it sort of slightly mid-boosted. 

There's a thread on TB with measurements done by someone who seems to know what they're saying. I've got those measurements as pics but am not quite sure what would it look like regarding copyright and such stuff.

[Hellzero]

3 hours ago, ghostwheel said:

It actually isn't if it's built exactly after the original one. Both controls all the way down make it sort of slightly mid-boosted. 

There's a thread on TB with measurements done by someone who seems to know what they're saying. I've got those measurements as pics but am not quite sure what would it look like regarding copyright and such stuff.

Sorry, but the original Music Man 2EQ preamp is boost only and I know what I'm saying owning an original 1978 and having made my own clones of this preamp.

[Misdee]

I thought the original MM Stingray EQ was cut and boost but without a centre detent. There isn't the same amount of cut available on bass and treble though. The bass only has a slight cut available, if I remember correctly. I'm pretty sure that has been confirmed by both by MusicMan and other boffins who would know.

[pineweasel]

7 hours ago, Misdee said:

I thought the original MM Stingray EQ was cut and boost but without a centre detent. There isn't the same amount of cut available on bass and treble though. The bass only has a slight cut available, if I remember correctly. I'm pretty sure that has been confirmed by both by MusicMan and other boffins who would know.

It was documented as cut and boost in the manual: www.musicmanbass.global/1978-hangtag-manual/

Edited 1 hour ago by pineweasel